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Saturday, 18 November 2017

Returning Guest Author Jason Lawson of New Brunswick

Jason Lawson
knows how to tell a story. With numerous published works to his credit, he has
agreed to be the Scribbler’s guest this week and participate in a 4Q Session.
This is his second visit to the Scribbler. He shared an amusing short story in February,
2014 and if you missed it, please go here. And find an excerpt below from one of his favorite stories.

4Q: The
latest news is your just published novel - Visions. This is a sequel to your
first published novel – The Vision. Tells us about them.

JL: I
didn’t really plan to write a sequel to my novel, ‘the vision’, I had no
problem leaving Henry in limbo, for me it was the end. However, the story
really didn’t end there. For one thing, I sold the movie rights to the book. I
then spent the better part of the next year turning the novel intoa screenplay. During that time, I began
receiving a lot of emails and messages from readers asking me to please write a
sequel. The problem was, I couldn’t until the screenwriting was done. Once the
screenwriting was completed, I took some time to figure out where I wanted to
the story to go, then I wrote it.‘visions’
picks up where ‘the vision’ left off. Henry is still in a coma, living in an
ancient world, but he’s beginning to heal and hear voices from reality. https://youtu.be/f1DSmNMHAz8

4Q: This is
your eighth novel Jason. Congratulations of course, but which one is your
favorite and why?

JL:
For some reason, I’m still enamoured with ‘Frack Off’ and ‘Recession Proof’. I
guess it comes with the joy of making people laugh. Also, writing humorous
fiction is more challenging than anything else I’ve tried. It’s difficult to
keep the laughs rolling for an entire novel, so when it works out, I’m very
pleased.

4Q: Pleased
share a childhood anecdote or memory with us.

JL:
It actually fits in with the last question. I remember as a kid, visiting the
neighbors and watching a comedian on TV with them. The performer was quite
vulgar and I remember the lady of the house saying, “If you need to swear to
make people laugh, then you’re really not funny.” That sentence is always in
the back of my mind when I’m working on something humorous. Sure, a well-placed
curse is always comical, but if what you’re writing needs vulgarity to work,
then it’s really not funny or well thought out.

(cartoon credited to crabby road)

4Q: Are you
still doing any screenwriting and what’s next for JL?

JL: I
never stop writing, I think it’s an addiction. I just finished my first
‘based-on-a-true-story’ novel, which I hope will be out in early 2018. I’m
working on several development proposals for television stations, and am
waiting on news regarding a screenplay that I wrote in 2015. It may go into
production in the New Year, but we haven’t received confirmation yet. All
fingers are crossed.

This year I also signed with a new publisher, Wolfpack
Publishing, which are based in the United States. They’ve been great to work with,
and have taken ALL my older titles, so they haven’t all been re-released yet.
But they will all be available again real soon.

Thanks for asking such great questions!

An Excerpt from Frack Off.

(Copyright is held by the author. Used with permission)

Frack Off is one of my favorite novels. It is a
humorous fiction about a crooked politician who gets blackmailed by an irate
landowner to stop the controversial practice of Fracking from happening. In
this scene, the politician, Dan Clark, is about to leave on a hunting trip with
the Premier, and is chatting with his assistant, Martin.

"So, how do I look,
Martin?" Dan asked as he strode into the campaign office dressed in camouflage
from head to toe."Wow sir, I almost didn't recognize
you." "That's good. Or at least I think.
Do you really think this is going to fool a moose?" Dan wondered if he
looked down at his clothes."I think the idea is for you to
blend in with the scenery sir.""Right. It's just too bad someone
hasn't invented an outfit that resembles a chrome pole and some chairs. Imagine
the fun I could have at the strip club.""That reminds me sir." Martin
started with a look of concern on his face. "I've had no less than six
complaints already from constituents who saw you there the other night.""Hmm. Anonymous ones no
doubt.""Yes sir. No one left a
name.""So who cares? If no one's brave
enough to say who they are, they're certainly not going to appear on camera to
talk about it. What's that old saying? Let him who is free of sins cast the
first ballot?""I believe that's stone,
sir.""Yeah. Whatever. Nothing to worry
about. Every one of the dancers said they were going to vote for me. And there
were eight of them. Minus the six complaints and I'm still ahead by two
votes.""Oh God," Martin exhaled.
"By the way sir, the premier's office called and said he'd be picking you
up here shortly.""Perfect. I'm all packed. Ready to
beat around the bush. Put the moose in the noose. We should be sitting by the
campfire discussing my promotion to deputy premier before the day's out.""Just be careful,
sir. I'll take care of things here while you're gone.""Be sure to let the media know
that I'm rubbing elbows with the premier on a moospedition will you? That will
do wonders for my profile.""It won't if I call it a
moospedition, sir.""Right. I know you'll come up with
the proper description. And thanks for being here so early to see me off. Why
in the name of god do we have to leave at this ungodly hour? Couldn't we have
an afternoon excursion?""I think it's because the moose
are more active around dawn, sir.""I thought that was
roosters.""You see. It's like. Oh never mind,
sir. It would take me too long to explain it.""No problem. It's time to go
anyways." Dan remarked as he pointed out the window to a massive SUV that
was pulling up. "That's the premier's hunting truck.""What a gas guzzler." Martin
said with disgust."It sure is. Vehicles like that
are great for the economy, Martin. They cost a fortune and use up a lot
fuel. That creates tax revenue. I thought a political science major like
yourself would know that.""Except that the taxpayers paid
for that vehicle and the gas that goes in it.""Details. Details. Wish me luck, Martin."
Dan said, exited the office and walked towards the bloated vehicle."You there!" A well-dressed
man on the sidewalk stuck out his hand. "Dan Clark. I just wanted to say
keep up the good work and I've convinced my entire staff to vote for you.""Thank you,
sir." Dan shook his hand. "What a great way to start the day. An
early endorsement from an early riser.""Why are you dressed in camouflage?
Going to spy on the opposition?" he said with a snicker."No sir. But that's a good idea.
Actually I'm on my way out of town to bag a moose.""What!? Why you traitor! You told
me if I voted for you, you were going to make all forms of hunting illegal.
Don't you remember me?""Sure I do." Dan stared at
him hard. "But it's still pretty dark out. And I'm not wearing my
glasses.""You didn't have any the day you
came to my office.""Or contacts.""I'm Wally Sparks, head of the
animal shelter and president of Friends of Wildlife. You said if I donated to
your campaign you'd make all forms of hunting illegal!""I am sir, I am. I'm working on it
as we speak.""You just said you were going to
bag a moose!""Tag a moose,Willy.
Tag a moose. We're going to monitor these mammals and find out what route
they're taking when they go south for the winter. If we can figure out what
roads they're crossing on their migration to the southern states, we might be
able to put in some animal crosswalks. Do you have any idea how many
moose-related fatalities are reported each year?""What? That's insane?""Oh no,
Walter. Car accidents are very serious. That's why we're driving this over-sized
SUV. If a moose should jump in front of us, we're going to make sure we come
out on top. So to speak. Thanks again for your contribution and don't worry
sir. A vote for Dan is a vote for the moose, bears, and any other animal that
you like. Leave a list with my assistant Martin. Good day to you." Dan
smiled as he jumped into the SUV. "Floor it,
Mr. Premier."

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Wall of War

Allan Hudson

About Me

My mother taught me to read, to like books, when I was very young. She also taught me how to write. I grew up in the country, even went to a one-room school which was right across the road from our house. She was the teacher. The days I missed were few.

Writing is so much fun and even though I started later in life, I am so happy to realize my dream. Having this blog so I can share other people's work gives me great pleasure.

I've had many adventures in my life. I've travelled throughout North America, gone skydiving, rock climbing, wilderness camping. I craft stained glass and I enjoy woodworking. I'm blessed with many good friends.

I live in the seaside community of Cocagne, New Brunswick, Canada. My wife's name is Gloria. My son's name is Adam and my stepsons' names are Christopher (Mireille) and Mark (Nathalie) Young. My grandchildren are Matthieu, Natasha and Damien. I love them all.

Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy my blog. You can reach me by leaving a comment and/or your email address and I'll respond.

Family and Friends.

Review of Wall of War

Buy it Here

Wall of War is available at Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Cover to Cover in Riverview, Cocagne Variety in Cocagne and from the author.

The Douglas Kyle Memorial Award for Fiction

My story - The Ship Breakers - received Honorable Mention in the Douglas Kyle Memorial awards for New Brunswick Writers Federation's short story category. Watch for it with the coming selection of short stories to be published in 2018